Ecological Services Research Articles

Genetic Variability in Mediterranean Coastal Ecosystems: Insights into Ostrea spp. (Bivalvia: Ostreidae).

Oysters are sessile, filter-feeding bivalve molluscs widely distributed in estuarine and coastal habitats worldwide. They constitute a valuable resource for fisheries and extensive aquaculture and provide essential ecological services. Yet, their genetic diversity and distribution remain understudied. The variability in shell morphology complicates species classification, which is influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Although molecular phylogenetics research has refined oyster taxonomy and identified approximately 100 extant species, numerous taxonomic uncertainties persist. In the present study, we aimed to document the occurrence of small flat oysters of the genus Ostrea along the Mediterranean coastal areas of Liguria and Sardinia (Italy). Specifically, 16S rRNA sequence data were used to identify Ostrea species. Our findings offer novel insights into the O. stentina species complex and O. neostentina, a new species in the Mediterranean coastal areas of Italy. The study data further our understanding of Ostrea species diversity, distribution, and evolutionary patterns.

Ecological footprint in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration: Evolution characteristics, driving mechanism, and compensation standard

Unbalancing ecological supply-demand is an obstacle to sustainable development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration (BTHUA), which can be efficiently addressed through regional ecological compensation. However, the driving mechanism of this unbalance is unclear, and the determination of ecological compensation standard (ECS) is not unified. This study uses the ecological footprint (EF) model and integrated inversion model to complete the intelligent evaluation and prediction of ecological supply-demand performance in the BTHUA. The extended nonlinear STIRPAT model and geographic detector are integrated to identify the driving mechanism of EF and its spatial differentiation. ECS at different spatiotemporal scales are then given with consideration of ecological service value and Monte Carlo simulation. Results reveal that EF of the BTHUA exhibits a downward trend, especially under the sustainable scenario (SSP1), falling by 16.85 %. But all cities would be still in unsafety states by 2035, with an average EF value of 6.210 hm2/cap, which is over 27 times greater than its EC. The spatial distribution of EF differs significantly, and high-value areas gradually migrate to the north. The variation of EF is primarily influenced by industrial structure, with population factors and environmental factors following. Per capita GDP is a key factor causing spatial differentiation of EF. The key driving factors and their explanatory powers on EF vary across cities, and the interaction of multiple factors affects EF more than a single in the BTHUA. Past-to-future ECS of the BTHUA shows a decreasing trend, with high-value areas distributed in the pivotal cities for economic development. A total of 19.13 × 1010 CNY needs to be paid to compensate for ecological damage of the BTHUA. Uncertainty analysis shows that ECS is extremely sensitive to grassland footprint in most cities. Furthermore, environmental footprints as well as system dynamics considering multiple factors are still required for comprehensively evaluating the ecological environment quality and further exploring ecological compensation evaluation framework with incorporating various ecological service functions such as carbon sinks in the BTHUA. Findings can facilitate improving regional sustainability and provide a valid approach to determine ECS for the BTHUA and similar regions worldwide.

Variegated urban and rural spaces: Defining village types in China

China’s system of territorial spatial planning requires an integrated layout of ecological, agricultural, and urban functional space. This paper examines urban and rural villages and finds that villages can be classified into five types: urban villages, suburban villages, rural villages, semi-ecological villages, and eco-villages. These villages have multiple functions such as ecological services, agricultural production, and town services, according to the relationship between villages and territorial space. Urban villages refer to villages within the urban space, which have certain urban socio-ecological service functions; suburban villages are villages located at the junction of urban and agricultural spaces, which adapt their functions to the needs of the town; rural villages refer to villages located in the vast agricultural space, which are dominated by large-scale agriculture, and which need to undertake the function of guaranteeing food security; semi-ecological villages refer to villages at the junction of the agricultural space and the eco-villages, which can develop diversified ecological services; and eco-villages refer to villages that are in, or essentially in, eco-space, and have an important role to play in the maintenance of natural ecosystems.

Effect of Pinus halepensis Mill. Reforestation on the Above-Ground Biomass and Internode Elongation and Leaf Size of Native Species in Morroco

This study aims to determine the effect of the reforestation of Pinus halepensis Mill. on the above-ground biomass and morphological characteristics of native species (internode elongation and leaf size) in the Beni Sohane forest. Plant biomass of the herbaceous layer was harvested on randomly selected 2 m2 quadrats in reforested plots of ± 12, ± 25, and ± 45-year-old, and native forest controls. The internode length and leaf size (length and width) were measured on plants randomly selected belonging to four native species Quercus ilex L., Pistacia lentiscus L., Phillyrea angustifolia L., and Cistus creticus L.. The results showed that P. halepensis reforestation had no significant effect on the above-ground biomass and the leaves and internodes dimensions in the young plantations ± 12-year-old. However, as the pine trees mature, the average dry matter weight decreases, especially in stands 45 years old, where this weight was significantly lower than that of natural forests. This fact has led to herders abandoning important pastures previously used by their cattle. In addition, the fast growth of P. halepensis trees formed a canopy above all indigenous species resulting in changes in the dimensions of internodes and leaves. For the two oldest plantations, the internode length, leaf width, and length of the 4 species have been significantly increased. However, the leaf length-to-width ratio decreased significantly, with leaves in reforested plots being larger rather than longer compared to control samples in native forests. Planting P. halepensis can negatively impact the long-term growth of native plants, so we recommend periodically removing some of the pines (thinning) to restore the balance of these ecosystems. Thus, species selection for reforestation should consider maximizing rather than destroying ecological and socioeconomic services.

Effect of Pinus halepensis Mill. Reforestation on the Above-Ground Biomass and Internode Elongation and Leaf Size of Native Species in Morroco

This study aims to determine the effect of the reforestation of Pinus halepensis Mill. on the above-ground biomass and morphological characteristics of native species (internode elongation and leaf size) in the Beni Sohane forest. Plant biomass of the herbaceous layer was harvested on randomly selected 2 m2 quadrats in reforested plots of ± 12, ± 25, and ± 45-year-old, and native forest controls. The internode length and leaf size (length and width) were measured on plants randomly selected belonging to four native species Quercus ilex L., Pistacia lentiscus L., Phillyrea angustifolia L., and Cistus creticus L.. The results showed that P. halepensis reforestation had no significant effect on the above-ground biomass and the leaves and internodes dimensions in the young plantations ± 12-year-old. However, as the pine trees mature, the average dry matter weight decreases, especially in stands 45 years old, where this weight was significantly lower than that of natural forests. This fact has led to herders abandoning important pastures previously used by their cattle. In addition, the fast growth of P. halepensis trees formed a canopy above all indigenous species resulting in changes in the dimensions of internodes and leaves. For the two oldest plantations, the internode length, leaf width, and length of the 4 species have been significantly increased. However, the leaf length-to-width ratio decreased significantly, with leaves in reforested plots being larger rather than longer compared to control samples in native forests. Planting P. halepensis can negatively impact the long-term growth of native plants, so we recommend periodically removing some of the pines (thinning) to restore the balance of these ecosystems. Thus, species selection for reforestation should consider maximizing rather than destroying ecological and socioeconomic services.

Mapping of temperate upland habitats using high-resolution satellite imagery and machine learning

Upland habitats provide vital ecological services, yet they are highly threatened by natural and anthropogenic stressors. Monitoring these vulnerable habitats is fundamental for conservation and involves determining information about their spatial locations and conditions. Remote sensing has evolved as a promising tool to map the distribution of upland habitats in space and time. However, the resolutions of most freely available satellite images (e.g., 10-m resolution for Sentinel-2) may not be sufficient for mapping relatively small features, especially in the heterogeneous landscape—in terms of habitat composition—of uplands. Moreover, the use of traditional remote sensing methods, imposing discrete boundaries between habitats, may not accurately represent upland habitats as they often occur in mosaics and merge with each other. In this context, we used high-resolution (2 m) Pleiades satellite imagery and Random Forest (RF) machine learning to map habitats at two Irish upland sites. Specifically, we investigated the impact of varying spatial resolutions on classification accuracy and proposed a complementary approach to traditional methods for mapping complex upland habitats. Results showed that the accuracy generally improved with finer spatial resolution data, with the highest accuracy values (80.34% and 79.64%) achieved for both sites using the 2-m resolution datasets. The probability maps derived from the RF-based fuzzy classification technique can represent complex mosaics and gradual transitions occurring in upland habitats. The presented approach can potentially enhance our understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of habitats over large areas.

Assessing heavy metal pollution in mangrove ecosystems of the Kribi-Campo sub-basin, Cameroon

Mangrove ecosystems provide crucial ecological services, yet they are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pollution, particularly from heavy metals. This study investigated heavy metal contamination (Pb, Fe, Ni, Cu) in four mangrove sites within the Kribi-Campo sub-basin, Cameroon, during the dry and rainy seasons of 2023. Physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, salinity) were measured in situ, and heavy metal concentrations in water samples were determined using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Results revealed spatial variations in physicochemical parameters, with the Mpolongwé site showing excessive mineralization (conductivity > 1000 µS/cm) likely attributed to industrial and domestic effluents. Lead contamination was restricted to Londji (0.05 - 0.21 mg/L), potentially linked to fishing activities. Iron concentrations were highest at Londji (0.67 mg/L) and Nziou (0.61- 0.68 mg/L), while nickel was absent only at Eboundja. Notably, copper was ubiquitous across all sites (2.68 - 3.31 mg/L), highlighting its widespread distribution. Londji emerged as the most contaminated site, harboring detectable levels of all analyzed metals. These findings underscore the vulnerability of Kribi’s mangroves to heavy metal pollution, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and implementation of mitigation measures to ensure the sustainable management of this valuable ecosystem.

Combination of plant species and water depth enhance soil quality in near-natural restoration of reclaimed wetland

Plant introduction and hydrological management are essential strategies for near-natural wetland restoration. However, the combined effects of plant species and water depth on soil quality restoration remain poorly understood. The wetland ecosystem is crucial for Earth ecosystem health and sustainable development, but it faces challenges due to environmental change and human activities leading to soil quality degradation. In this study, we conducted a five-year near-natural restoration experiment covering approximately 2071 m2 area in the Changbai Mountains region of northeastern China to assess the impact of plant species and water depth combinations on soil quality dynamics in reclaimed wetlands. Through an ecological engineering project, a meticulous controlled experiment was implemented to investigate the impact of different plant species and water depth combinations on soil quality in near-naturally restored wetlands. Over the five-year restoration period, we observed significant improvements in soil quality indicators, including pH, bulk density, soil organic carbon content, and labile organic carbon fractions. Soil pH and bulk density both showed a decreasing trend, with notable variations influenced by the combination of plant species and water depth. Particularly significant drops were observed in wetlands where Lythrum salicaria L. was introduced at 10 cm water depth and Iris wilsonii C. H. Wright was introduced at 30 cm water depth. Meanwhile, soil organic carbon content also appeared optimal restoration effects in the aforementioned combinations, highlighting the regulatory effect of these combinations on soil quality regulation. Linear regression modeling demonstrated a significant positive correlation between soil organic carbon and both above-ground and below-ground biomass, highlighting the interplay between vegetation dynamics and soil quality restoration. Our study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of soil quality restoration in reclaimed wetlands and underscores the importance of considering plant species-water depth combinations in restoration planning. By understanding these dynamics, restoration practitioners can make informed decisions to enhance the sustainability of wetland ecosystems and their invaluable ecological services.

Exploring Trade-Offs and Synergies in Social–Ecological System Services across Ecological Engineering Impact Regions: Insights from South China Karst

Karst ecosystems have become complex social–ecological systems (SESs) as a result of the interventions of large-scale ecological restoration programs, and the ecosystem services (ESs) that provide regional well-being can, to some extent, be described as social–ecological system services (S–ESs). Understanding the relationships among multiple S–ESs and exploring their drivers are essential for effective ecological management in karst areas, especially in regions differently affected by ecological engineering programs. Taking South China Karst (SCK) as a study area, we first identified two regions as comparative boundaries, namely significant engineering impact regions (SEERs) and non-significant ecological engineering impact regions (NEERs). Then we used ES assessment models, Spearman correlation, and optimal parameter geographic detector to identify the supply capacity, trade-offs/synergies, and their drivers of six types of S–ESs in SEERs and NEERs. The findings included: (1) SEERs were predominantly concentrated in the central and southern SCK regions, accounting for 33.98% of the total SCK area, with the most concentrated distribution observed in Guizhou and Guangxi. (2) Within the entire SCK, six S–ESs maintained a relatively stable spatial distribution pattern over time, with the most pronounced increase in soil conservation and a slight decrease in water retention, and the S–ES hotspots were more concentrated within the SEERs. (3) Most S–ES pairs within SEERs were optimized synergistically, with lower trade-off intensity and higher synergy intensity compared to NEERs. (4) S–ES pairs were affected by the interactions between the natural and socio-economic factors, with land use changes playing a crucial role, and natural factors were difficult to predict but cannot be ignored. Based on the results, we propose different SES sustainable development suggestions, with a view to providing theoretical support for the optimization of SES functions and the consolidating of integrated ecological construction.

How do species richness and colour diversity of plants affect public perception, preference and sense of restoration in urban green spaces?

Urban development has led to an overlap between natural and artificial environments, affecting individuals’ experiences with nature. To create high-quality urban natural environments, it is crucial to understand the residents’ perceptions, preferences and psychophysical health benefits concerning biodiversity. This study, employing various experimental designs, investigated the perceptions, preferences and restorative experiences of 695 participants concerning different levels of plant species richness and colour diversity in four typical urban green space types (lawn, forest, square and streetscape). The following discoveries were made: (i) The colour diversity carried by vegetation in lawns was an important basis for the public to identify plant diversity. Lawns with high richness achieved by different grass species (that have green colour) were not preferred by the public, and increased colour diversity that can be achieved by adding flowering plants (forbs) was preferred by people more than a single green lawn. The species richness of forests was positively correlated with public perception, preference and perceived restoration, with single green forests being preferred by the public. Additionally, people preferred vegetated environments over unvegetated squares or streetscapes. (ii) Participants’ perceptions, preferences and perceived restoration were positively correlated. Their preference for and perceived restoration from plant diversity depended more on their perception of it than on the actual species richness. (iii) Participants’ gender, expertise, physical condition, ecological knowledge, childhood living environment, frequency of use and accessibility of green spaces, natural orientation (connectedness), gardening, sense of security and well-being all influenced their perceptions, preferences and perceived restoration from plant diversity to varying extents. Significant distinctions were found between different forms of experimental design. Combining between-subject and within-subject designs could both control individual errors to some extent and avoid long-term effects on the participants compared to using either design alone. These findings provide a theoretical basis and practical approach for future biodiversity-oriented urban green space planning and management to better maximise the ecological and social service benefits of urban green spaces.

Conflict or Coordination? A Coupling Study of China’s Population–Urbanization–Ecological Environment

Whether the new type of urbanization implemented in China in the past decade has been effective in regulating urbanization and balancing human development and environmental protection remains to be verified. Therefore, this study develops a framework for assessing population-urbanization–ecological environment interactions by combining the coupling coordination degree model and the decoupling index. Firstly, the proposed framework establishes an indicator system of population, economy, society, space, environmental pressure, ecological governance, ecological status, and ecological services based on two sets of national census data; secondly, this study combines the coupling coordination degree model and decoupling index to comprehensively understand the coupling coordination relationship and the decoupling relationship of the population–urbanization–ecological environment across time and space. Overall, this study contributes to a deepened understanding of coupled population–urbanization–ecological environment interactions and provides a scientific basis for effective guidance on urban–rural management and the balance between human development and environmental protection.

Machine learning-based monitoring of mangrove ecosystem dynamics in the Indus Delta

Mangrove forests play a vital role in carbon sequestration, typhoon-induced wave attenuation, and the provision of ecological services. However, mangrove ecosystems have experienced large-scale loss globally due to rising sea levels and anthropogenic activities. This study investigates the dynamic changes in mangrove cover within the mega-Indus delta, the largest delta in Pakistan and Southern Asia, using multi-temporal remote sensing data and machine learning techniques from 1988 to 2023. The results indicate an increasing trend in mangrove areas in the Indus Delta, with an average annual growth rate of 18.72 %. The spatial distribution of mangrove forests tends to concentrate towards the landward areas, extending along tidal channels, while losses primarily occur in the seaward regions. Rising sea levels pose a potential threat to the survival of these mangroves. The strong southwest monsoon-driven waves are the leading cause of shoreline erosion of the Indus Delta mangroves. Meanwhile, the reduction in riverine sediment discharge is not associated with the increase in mangrove area. Instead, the tidal currents influenced by the southwest monsoon carry sediments into the delta’s tidal channels, causing them to fill and create suitable habitats for mangroves, which are the primary drivers of the observed mangrove expansion in the Indus Delta. Additionally, afforestation activities observed in the northwest and southwest parts of the study area have contributed to the restoration of mangroves. The loss of mangroves in the northernmost part of the northwest region was attributed to an oil spill incident. This study highlights the dynamic nature of mangrove ecosystems in the Indus Delta, characterized by an arid climate and low population density. The findings provide valuable insights into the factors influencing mangrove gain and loss and can inform management strategies for global mangrove restoration efforts.

Global expansion of human-wildlife overlap in the 21st century.

Understanding the extent to which people and wildlife overlap in space and time is critical for the conservation of biodiversity and ecological services. Yet, how global change will reshape the future of human-wildlife overlap has not been assessed. We show that the potential spatial overlap of global human populations and 22,374 terrestrial vertebrate species will increase across ~56.6% and decrease across only ~11.8% of the Earth's terrestrial surface by 2070. Increases are driven primarily by intensification of human population densities, not change in wildlife distributions caused by climate change. The strong spatial heterogeneity of future human-wildlife overlap found in our study makes it clear that local context is imperative to consider, and more targeted area-based land-use planning should be integrated into systematic conservation planning.

Evaluating the Spatiotemporal Distributions of Water Conservation in the Yiluo River Basin under a Changing Environment

Water conservation is a crucial indicator that measures the available water resources needed for maintaining regional ecological services and socioeconomic development. The Yiluo River Basin plays an essential role in water conservation in the Yellow River Basin, which is one of the most important river basins with vulnerable ecological conditions and a large population in China. However, previous studies have a limited understanding of the distribution of water conservation in the Yiluo River Basin. To address this knowledge gap, we developed a SWAT model to evaluate water conservation in the Yiluo River Basin with high spatial and temporal details on a monthly scale. From a monthly perspective, water conservation accumulation primarily took place in July (54.6 mm), August (23.5 mm), and September (33.2 mm), which are in the flood season. From 1966 to 2018, we found a significant 47% reduction in basin-wide water conservation, and the reduction was primarily influenced by meteorological conditions and underlying surface dynamics. The results of the temporal correlation analysis identified precipitation as the most significant factor influencing water conservation, while the spatial correlation analysis revealed that potential evapotranspiration, vegetation, and elevation had the highest spatial correlation with water conservation. By combining SWAT outputs on the HRU (hydrological response unit) scale with the spatial distribution of HRUs, the study achieved the visualization of the spatial distribution of water conservation, identifying Luonan County, Luanchuan County, and Luoning County as the key regions that experienced water conservation decline over the past decades. These findings advance our understanding of the distributions of water conservation and their key driving factors in the study area and provide valuable policy implications to support ecological protection and water resource management in the Yellow River Basin.

Long-term trends in the functional structure of estuarine fish assemblages in a subtropical estuary and its relationships with local environmental variability, man-made changes, and climatic drivers

Climate and anthropogenic impacts are prevalent in marine and estuarine ecosystems. Rapid environmental changes have altered biological diversity and the ecological services associated with ecosystems around the world. The consequences of these impacts on estuarine ecosystems are worrying, given that estuaries are essential habitats for maintaining the diversity of species functions, as they act as sources for larger ecosystems through the recruitment and replacement of species. Through long-term standardized monitoring (1996–2019), we evaluated the temporal variability of the functional structure of fish species in a subtropical estuary using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and their relationship with environmental, climatic, and anthropogenic variables using Generalized Additive Models (GAM). We investigate the hypothesis that natural disturbances associated with El Niño events and anthropogenic ones related with changes in the estuary morphology will lead to a decrease in the diversity of functions of the fish assemblage in the Patos Lagoon Estuary in south Brazil (32°S). Our findings suggest an overall downward trend in the fish functional structure, especially in the second half (2006–2019) of the time series, which seems to be associated with a combination of abiotic effects (salinity and temperature), global climate phenomena (ENSO phases) and anthropogenic impacts (changes in the morphology of the estuarine mouth and its connection with the sea). These findings rise concern considering the current climate change scenario, where phenomena such as El Niño may become more frequent and intense. Therefore, the evidence from this study suggests that extreme natural climatic events in synergy with anthropogenic disturbances may imply biodiversity losses over time and, consequently, loss of ecosystem processes in a subtropical estuary.

The Impact of Forest Management Inventory Factors on the Ecological Service Value of Forest Water Conservation Based on Machine Learning Algorithms

Based on forest management inventory data, this study applies machine learning algorithms to explore the relationships between forest water conservation capacity and forest management inventory factors, thus providing more extensive insights into forest water conservation services. By integrating the InVEST model and machine learning algorithms, this study identifies the key factors related to water conservation services based on forest management inventory factors and investigates the differences in and accuracy of forest water conservation models using the random forest algorithm. The results are as follows: (1) The determination coefficients (R2) of the three machine learning models range from 0.508 to 0.869, with root mean square errors (RMSEs) ranging from 28.380 to 69.339. The performance of these models is generally satisfactory, with the random forest algorithm showing superior results. (2) By leveraging the advantages of the three machine learning algorithms in handling categorical data, this study analyzes the contributions of forest management inventory factors, revealing the impact mechanisms of forest-type water conservation services. (3) The integration of machine learning algorithms allows for better processing of the scale and correlation of independent variables, providing more objective information on the main controlling factors of forest water conservation. (4) Predictions of water conservation capacity using machine learning are consistent with that of the InVEST model. The water conservation per unit area shows a variation trend as follows: slow-growing broadleaf forests > shrub forests > middle-growing broadleaf forests > cunninghamia lanceolata forests > fast-growing broadleaf forests > pine forests > bamboo forests. (5) Since this study considers only the factors available in the forest management inventory, which does not encompass all relevant influencing factors, it is difficult to fully address the complexities of how forest water conservation services interact with forest structure. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate the intrinsic mechanisms underlying the interactions between water conservation and forest management inventory factors.

Progress and future directions for seaweed holobiont research.

In the marine environment, seaweeds (i.e. marine macroalgae) provide a wide range of ecological services and economic benefits. Like land plants, seaweeds do not provide these services in isolation, rather they rely on their associated microbial communities, which together with the host form the seaweed holobiont. However, there is a poor understanding of the mechanisms shaping these complex seaweed-microbe interactions, and of the evolutionary processes underlying these interactions. Here, we identify the current research challenges and opportunities in the field of seaweed holobiont biology. We argue that identifying the key microbial partners, knowing how they are recruited, and understanding their specific function and their relevance across all seaweed life history stages are among the knowledge gaps that are particularly important to address, especially in the context of the environmental challenges threatening seaweeds. We further discuss future approaches to study seaweed holobionts, and how we can apply the holobiont concept to natural or engineered seaweed ecosystems.

Shorebirds: Threats and Strategies for Conservation

Shorebirds or waders inhabit in the coastal littoral zone and play critical role in the marine ecosystems and environmental monitoring. Ecological services provided by shorebirds include facilitating energy and nutrient transfer; enrich soils to increase biodiversity along with primary and secondary production. Shorebirds are used as indicators of pollution, environmental change, food chain, and climate change. These birds are vulnerable to hunting pressure, habitat changes, disturbance and other threats. Disturbance to roosting or feeding shorebirds is a major concern along coastlines. Shorebirds can adapt to regular disturbances at predictable distances; but some loud, unpredictable disturbances such as shouting, people running, jet skis, helicopters, kite boards, fast and noisy boats, and dogs are the most threatening to them. Anthropogenic stressors such as chemical pollution, fishing, habitat loss, invasive alien species/introduced species, marine debris, oil spills, poaching, and shipping pose threats to the shorebirds. Human activities can affect the shorebirds, either directly or by producing behavioural or physiological impacts. Present review attempts to provide an illustrative and updated account of shorebirds relevant to current status; natural, anthropogenic, and emerging and under-studied threats; and strategies to be adopted for better conservation and restoration of shorebirds. This study suggests that about threats to shorebirds, future research priorities should be given to assess the cumulative effects of anthropogenic stressors on shorebirds and to recommend effective preventive measures.

Annual-perennial lifespan variation in Chaenactis douglasii suggests a drought escape strategy in warm-arid environments.

Intraspecific variation in drought resistance traits, such as drought escape, appear to be frequent within wild, ruderal forb species. Understanding how these traits are arrayed across the landscape, particularly in association with climate, is critical to developing forbs for wildland restoration programs. Use of forbs is requisite for maintaining biological diversity and ecological services. Using 6074 greenhouse-grown Chaenactis douglasii seedlings from 95 wild, seed-sourced populations across the western United States, we recorded bolting phenology and estimated genome size using flow cytometry. Mixed-effects regression models were used to assess whether climate of seed origin was predictive for bolting phenology and genome size. Variation in bolting, reflecting an annual vs. perennial lifespan in this species, was observed in 8.7% of the plants, with bolting plants disproportionately occurring in locations with warm, arid climates. Populations with increasing heat and aridity were positively correlated with observed bolting (r = 0.61, p < 0.0001). About one-third (22%) of the total (61%) lifespan variation was attributed to seed source climate and annual heat moisture index, a measure of aridity. Genome size had no significant effect on bolting. Projected climate modeling for mid-century (2041-2070) supports an increasing occurrence of annual lifespan. Our analyses support a drought escape, bet-hedging strategy in C. douglasii. Populations exposed to greater aridity exhibited a higher proportion of individuals with an annual lifespan. Drought escape leading to an annual lifespan can affect how seeds are propagated and deployed for climate-informed restoration.

Comparison of Festuca glauca 'Uchte' and Festuca amethystina 'Walberla' Varieties in a Simulated Extensive Roof Garden Environment.

One of the most effective means of increasing urban green areas is the establishment of roof gardens. They have many positive properties and ecological functions, such as filling empty spaces with plants, protecting buildings, dust retention and air cleaning. In the case of extensive constructions, mostly Sedum species are used, planted as carpet-like "grass" sods or by installing modular units as plugs; however, with the use of other plant genera, the efficiency of ecological services could be increased by expanding the diversity. Festuca taxa have good drought resistance, and these plants tolerate temperature alterations well. Their application would increase the biodiversity, quality and decorative value of roof gardens. Experiments were carried out on nursery benches imitating a roof garden, with the use of modular elements intended for Sedum species, which facilitate the establishment of green roofs. In our trial, varieties of two European native species, Festuca glauca Vill. 'Uchte' and F. amethystina L. 'Walberla', were investigated. In order to find and determine the differences between the cultivars and the effects of the media (leaf mold and rhyolite tuff), we drew inferences after morphological (height, circumference, root weight, fresh and dry weight) and physiological tests (peroxidase and proline enzyme activity). We concluded that F. glauca 'Uchte' is recommended for roof garden conditions, planted in modular elements. Although the specimens were smaller in the medium containing fewer organic components than in the version with larger amounts, they were less exposed to the effects of drought stress. This can be a key factor for survival in extreme roof gardens or even urban conditions for all plants.